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Can A Lamanite Be The President Of The Church? - Page 5

But think about it for a bit. What percent of the Church is non-white? If you assume that all things are equal among the races, the chances of a non-white being selected are very small. You have to have exposure to be selected (consider the selection of Saul and David by the prophet Samuel), so if your race is poorly represented in numbers it is far less likely someone will be noticed who would then be chosen.

Church The President The Lamanite Can

Tortdog:

Hard to tell because Church records do not identify race but we know it is big and growing.

Not sure if that's accurate. Hispanics are represented in the Quorum of the Seventies, so are Asians but NOT blacks even though the Church is growing so much in African countries or even Brazil? I am not speaking about racism at all but certainly, the Brethren and those who select people for these positions move within a certain group that these people are NOT part of, hence they are not chosen.

But let us NOT forget the title of this thread and its topic. I find it puzzling that a group of Elders in a country would actually ask this question. I mean, what made them think or doubt that a Native American could not become President of the Church one day, to the point of bringing up the topic in an Elder Quorum's meeting? I find the question extremely interesting.

Can A Lamanite Be The President Of The Church? Studies Doctrine Mormon

Well, going back to that one, I completely agree. I can't fathom what would have spawned the question. The whole point seems somewhat absurd. So I guess my viewpoint on this topic has come to an end.

Rather off topic, but... I'd assume that if we have a black 70 it would come from Brazil. So we don't have anyone black in the 70? I honestly do not keep track of who is who - other than the quorum of the 12 and the 1st Presidency. I don't even keep track of the presidency of the 70 anymore. As I have spiritually matured, a man's position in the church becomes less important to me than receiving direct revelation from my God. I look to priesthood offices as positions to direct and organize, not as a means of my eternal salvation. (Not sure if that makes sense.)

Page 5 Church The President The Lamanite Can

Tortdog:

I think that probably people are too used to see the typical US white Church President and they are actually wondering if is possible for a non-white to become Church President. I know it is odd but that's how they perceive the general leadership to be.

Rather off topic, but... We did have a Black 70 (as we know it now and not in the early days) Elder Helvecio Martins from Brazil. He served in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and released honorable after finishing his assignment (1995) But from there, no other Black person was called as a GA.

Church The President The Lamanite Can

Alone with what -JB- has said if those converts who are of the white-race are not called Gentiles, I don't see the need of a member calling or even thinking of a"dark skin" convert as a "Lamanite"

Why would some members refer to members with "dark skin" as Lamanites and not some much to the ones whos skin color is much fair even though they have Lamanite descend being from South & Central America?

It is a fact that we are called "Lamanites" within the Church, sometimes "Seriously" sometimes "Teasing" and I think some members Joke about your Skin Color too much, while not understanding the real-inner meaning of the word "Lamanite"

I recall the Book of Mormon words:

That is what we all are, the Children of Christ.

The question arouse during an Elder's Quorum class in Texas a few weeks ago, I don't remember how we got to the topic of having 51% Hispanic and 49% White in Texas, but I felt like adding this as part of the background to the question.

My feelings are that since we all are The Children of Christ, we are all entitled to the Blessings of his Gospel.

Message Edited... Persephone: Please learn how to use the Quote Tags. See our Constructive Posting Policy.

Can A Lamanite Be The President Of The Church?

Helvecio Martins was the first black member of the second quorum of the seventy from 1990 to 1995
Elder Martins served in the Second Quorum of the Seventy with distinction, and having fulfilled his five-year call, was honorably released on September 30, 1995.

I know this is not the apostles, but I feel that it is a start, and shows that leadership in the church now is not strictly limited to one race.

Can Lamanite The President The Church - Page 5

Elix:

This is very true and unfortunately, this is a "mentality" that many members share. Now let me clarify that unless someone is not "white" then they cannot fully see the "big deal" about the statement that is absolutely racial in tone and ignorant as its best.

Can Lamanite The President The Church Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 5

So one cannot be "white" and see the big deal in that statement?

What about a non-white in a non-white society? Wouldn't that be the reverse, and the argument would be that unless someone is "white" they cannot see the "big deal"?